Bon Om Tuk in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Today, Phnom Penh is busy preparing to celebrate tomorrow's festival, Bon Om Tuk, ow Water Festival. The performers are busy practicing in the different temporary theaters set up in the parks in the city. But the most famous of the performances is the boat race on the Tonle Sap River. Boats from the different provinces come to join the race. Each team goes on its own rythmn with the lead guy in the boat conducting with his hand or with a drum or with his paddle. It is very colorful and offers a great spectacle to both locals and tourists.


This festival is celebrated on the occasion of the Tonle Sap River turning its course. It is also to commemorate the victory of Jayavarman VII over the Chams who invaded the Khmer Kingdom. As well, it is to celebrate the end of the monsoons and the beginning of the fishing season.

The Sisowath Riverside is the best venue to view the race. There are many restaurants with second or third floors to give you a good view. For some of us, the Foreign Correspondents' Club or the FCC as it is known in Phnom Penh is the best place to get a really good view of the celebration.

White Rose Restaurant, Battambang, Cambodia

When you go around Cambodia, most likely, you will go through Battambang Province, a bustling province close to the Thai border. 

It is famous for its sweet oranges around September and October as well as its unique Cambodian cuisine. To try this, go to White Rose Restaurant. It is right at a strategic corner of the big market and shopping area. As you go to the restaurant, you will see the tables always full of both foreigners and locals. 

You must try the coconut smoothie made from a very milky coconut that only grows in that province. You can also buy this coconut from the restaurant to bring home with you, keep very cold in the fridge to be enjoyed in your own home made smoothie. 

They also make other types of smoothies from a variety of local fruits ranging from papaya, to honey pineapple, dragon fruit and whatever are in season. This is worth a stop for a very good meal.